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| United States Patent |
6,017,039
|
|
Gaddis
, et al.
|
January 25, 2000
|
Nosepiece nut retainer chuck
Abstract
Chuck for use with manual or powered driver having rotatable shaft, the
chuck including a nosepiece configured to maintain a nut member in
engagement with threads on jaws that are actuated by a nut and sleeve
arrangement.
| Inventors:
|
Gaddis; Benjamin A. (Clemson, SC);
Miles; Kevin C. (Clemson, SC)
|
| Assignee:
|
Power Tool Holders Incorporated (Wilmington, DE)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
962789 |
| Filed:
|
November 3, 1997 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
279/62; 279/902 |
| Intern'l Class: |
B23B 031/12 |
| Field of Search: |
279/60-65,902
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 573189 | Dec., 1896 | Vogel | 279/62.
|
| 872841 | Dec., 1907 | North | 279/62.
|
| 896051 | Aug., 1908 | Ashley | 279/62.
|
| 897335 | Sep., 1908 | Almond.
| |
| 911012 | Jan., 1909 | Jacobs.
| |
| 1053530 | Dec., 1913 | North | 279/62.
|
| 1123541 | Jan., 1915 | Jacobs.
| |
| 1417981 | May., 1922 | Englund.
| |
| 1526328 | Feb., 1925 | Englund.
| |
| 2292470 | Aug., 1942 | Ostberg.
| |
| 2684856 | Jul., 1954 | Stoner.
| |
| 3589486 | Jun., 1971 | Kelch.
| |
| 3813827 | Jun., 1974 | Bloch.
| |
| 3927892 | Dec., 1975 | Pradota.
| |
| 4252333 | Feb., 1981 | Vogel.
| |
| 4275893 | Jun., 1981 | Bilanceri.
| |
| 4305597 | Dec., 1981 | McCarty.
| |
| 4423881 | Jan., 1984 | Whitehead.
| |
| 4460296 | Jul., 1984 | Svertson, Jr.
| |
| 4575108 | Mar., 1986 | Whitehead.
| |
| 4648608 | Mar., 1987 | Smith.
| |
| 4660841 | Apr., 1987 | Chouinard.
| |
| 4664394 | May., 1987 | Theissig et al.
| |
| 4682918 | Jul., 1987 | Palm.
| |
| 4695065 | Sep., 1987 | Komatsu et al.
| |
| 4702122 | Oct., 1987 | Richard.
| |
| 4817971 | Apr., 1989 | Flynn.
| |
| 4840387 | Jun., 1989 | McCarthy.
| |
| 4842288 | Jun., 1989 | Ando.
| |
| 4951955 | Aug., 1990 | Sakamaki.
| |
| 5009439 | Apr., 1991 | Sakamaki.
| |
| 5125673 | Jun., 1992 | Huff et al.
| |
| 5135241 | Aug., 1992 | Huff et al.
| |
| 5145194 | Sep., 1992 | Huff et al.
| |
| 5183274 | Feb., 1993 | Sakamaki.
| |
| 5193824 | Mar., 1993 | Salpaka.
| |
| 5215317 | Jun., 1993 | Jordan et al.
| |
| 5253879 | Oct., 1993 | Huff et al.
| |
| 5348317 | Sep., 1994 | Steadings et al.
| |
| 5348318 | Sep., 1994 | Steadings et al.
| |
| 5411275 | May., 1995 | Huff et al.
| |
| 5499828 | Mar., 1996 | Salpaka et al.
| |
| 5501473 | Mar., 1996 | Barton et al. | 279/62.
|
| 5531461 | Jul., 1996 | Huff et al.
| |
| 5553873 | Sep., 1996 | Salpaka et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 0340310A1 | Nov., 1989 | EP.
| |
| 0433187A1 | Jun., 1991 | EP.
| |
| 3439668A1 | Apr., 1986 | DE.
| |
| 4023304C1 | Sep., 1991 | DE.
| |
| 63-216604 | Sep., 1988 | JP.
| |
| B23B31 04 | Oct., 1988 | JP.
| |
| 661643 | Nov., 1951 | GB.
| |
Other References
2 pages from catalogue entitled "SDS Rotary Hammers", no date.
4 pages from Yukiwa catalogue entitled "Products", in Japanese.
|
Primary Examiner: Bishop; Steven C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dority & Manning, P.A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable drive
shaft, said chuck comprising:
a) a generally cylindrical body member having a nose section and a tail
section, said tail section adapted to mate with said drive shaft of said
driver and said nose section having an axial bore formed therein and a
plurality of angularly disposed passageways formed therethrough and
intersecting said axial bore;
b) a plurality of jaws slidably positioned in each of said angularly
disposed passageways, each of said jaws having a jaw face formed on one
side thereof and threads formed on the opposite side thereof;
c) a nut rotatably mounted with respect to said body member and in
engagement with said threads on said jaws;
d) a nosepiece received on the nose section of said body, said nosepiece
including a nut contact portion to assist in preventing said nut from
disengaging the threads on said jaws, said nut contact portion being
configured with respect to the angularly disposed passageways in said body
member so as not to interfere with the jaws positioned therein, said
nosepiece including a radially inwardly extending portion extending over
at least a portion of the forwardmost section of said nose section; and
e) a sleeve member in driving engagement with said nut whereby when said
sleeve member is rotated with respect to said body member, said jaws will
be moved thereby.
2. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 1,
and further including a bearing thrust ring on said body.
3. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 2,
and further including a bearing assembly disposed adjacent said thrust
ring.
4. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 3,
wherein said bearing assembly is a self-contained anti-friction bearing.
5. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 1,
wherein said nosepiece is press fitted on said body member.
6. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 1,
wherein said nosepiece includes a substantially cylindrical portion and a
frustoconical portion extending therefrom.
7. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 1,
wherein said nosepiece is rust resistant.
8. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 1,
and further including a second sleeve secured to said tail section of said
body member.
9. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable drive
shaft, said chuck comprising:
a) a generally cylindrical body member having a nose section and a tail
section, said tail section adapted to mate with said drive shaft of said
driver and said nose section having an axial bore formed therein and a
plurality of angularly disposed passageways formed therethrough and
intersecting said axial bore;
b) a plurality of jaws slidably positioned in each of said angularly
disposed passageways, each of said jaws having a jaw face formed on one
side thereof and threads formed on the opposite side thereof;
c) a nut rotatably mounted with respect to said body member and in
engagement with said threads on said jaws;
d) a nosepiece received on the nose section of said body, said nosepiece
including a nut contact portion to assist in preventing said nut from
disengaging the threads on said jaws, said nut contact portion being
configured with respect to the angularly disposed passageways in said body
member so as not to interfere with the jaws positioned therein;
e) a sleeve member in driving engagement with said nut whereby when said
sleeve member is rotated with respect to said body member, said jaws will
be moved thereby; and
f) wherein said nosepiece includes a sleeve contact portion, said sleeve
contact portion being configured to prevent the sleeve from coming off the
chuck.
10. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 1,
and further including a bearing thrust ring on said body.
11. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 10,
and further including a bearing assembly disposed adjacent said thrust
ring.
12. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 11,
wherein said bearing assembly is a self-contained anti-friction bearing.
13. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 9,
wherein said nosepiece is press fitted on said body member.
14. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 9,
wherein said nosepiece includes a substantially cylindrical portion and a
frustoconical portion extending therefrom.
15. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 9,
wherein said nosepiece is rust resistant.
16. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 9,
and further including a second sleeve secured to said tail section of said
body member.
17. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable
drive shaft, said chuck comprising;
a) a generally cylindrical body member having a nose section adapted to
mate with said drive shaft of said driver and said nose section having an
axial bore formed therein and a plurality of angularly disposed
passageways formed therethrough and intersecting said axial bore;
b) a plurality of jaws slidably positioned in each of said angularly
disposed passageways, each of said jaws having a jaw face formed on one
side thereof and threads formed on the opposite side thereof;
c) a nut rotatably mounted with respect to said body member and in
engagement with said threads on said jaws;
d) a nosepiece received on the nose section of said body, said nosepiece
including a nut contact portion to assist in preventing said nut from
disengaging the threads on said jaws, said nut contact portion being
configured with respect to the angularly disposed passageways in said body
member so as not to interfere with the jaws positioned therein, said
nosepiece being configured as a one piece member with a cylindrical
portion and a flared portion; and
e) a sleeve member in driving engagement with said nut whereby when said
sleeve member is rotated with respect to said body member, said jaws will
be moved thereby.
18. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 17,
and further including a bearing thrust ring on said body.
19. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 18,
and further including a bearing assembly disposed adjacent said thrust
ring.
20. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 19,
wherein said bearing assembly is a self-contained anti-friction bearing.
21. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 17,
wherein said nosepiece is press fitted on said body member.
22. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 17,
wherein said nosepiece is rust resistant.
23. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver as stated in claim 17,
and further including a second sleeve secured to said tail section of said
body member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to chucks for use with drills or
with electric or pneumatic power drivers. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a chuck of the keyless type which may be tightened or
loosened by hand or by actuation of the driver motor.
Both hand and electric or pneumatic tool drivers are well known. Although
twist drills are the most common tools used with such drivers, the tools
may also comprise screwdrivers, nut drivers, burrs, mounted grinding
stones and other cutting or abrading tools. Since the tools may have
shanks of varying diameter or the cross-section of the tool shank may be
polygonal, the device is usually provided with a chuck which is adjustable
over a relatively wide range. The chuck may be attached to the driver by a
threaded or tapered bore.
A wide variety of chucks have been developed in the art. In one form of
chuck, three jaws spaced circumferentially approximately 120 degrees apart
from each other are constrained by angularly disposed passageways in a
body attached onto the drive shaft and configured so that rotation of the
body in one direction with respect to a constrained nut engaging the jaws
forces the jaws into gripping relationship with the cylindrical shank of a
tool, while rotation in the opposite direction releases the gripping
relationship. Such a chuck may be keyless if it is rotated by hand.
Examples of such chucks are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,673 entitled
"Non-Impact Keyless Chuck" and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,473 entitled
"Chuck", both commonly assigned to the present assignee, and whose entire
disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.
Despite the success of keyless chucks such as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,125,673 and 5,501,473, varying configurations of keyless chucks are
desirable for a variety of applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing
considerations, and others of prior art constructions and methods.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved chuck.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a keyless chuck
that allows for efficient tightening of the nut on the jaws during
operation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a keyless chuck
that has a minimum number of individual components that must be assembled.
These and other objects are achieved by providing a chuck for use with a
manual or power driver having a rotatable drive shaft, the chuck
comprising a generally cylindrical body member having a nose section and a
tail section. The tail section is adapted to mate with the drive shaft of
the driver, and the nose section has an axial bore formed therein and a
plurality of angularly disposed passageways formed therethrough and
intersecting the axial bore. The chuck further includes a plurality of
jaws slidably positioned in each of the angularly disposed passageways,
each of the jaws having a jaw face formed on one side thereof and threads
formed on the opposite side thereof. The chuck also includes a nut
rotatably mounted on the body and in engagement with the threads on the
jaws, and a nosepiece received on the nose section of the body. The
nosepiece includes a nut contact portion to prevent movement of the nut
toward the nose section of the body. The nut contact portion is configured
with respect to the angularly disposed passageways in the body member so
as not to interfere with the jaws positioned therein. The chuck further
includes a sleeve member in driving engagement with the nut and overlying
the nose section of the body member whereby when the sleeve member is
rotated with respect to the body member, the jaws will be moved thereby.
Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed
in greater detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best
mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more
particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to
the accompanying figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of a chuck in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the chuck of FIG. 1.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and
drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present
discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not
intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which
broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary construction.
Referring to FIG. 1, a chuck 10 in accordance with the present invention is
illustrated. Chuck 10 includes a front sleeve member 12, an optional rear
sleeve member 14, a body member 16 and jaws 18. Referring to FIGS. 1 and
2, body member 16 is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a nose
or forward section 20 and a tail or rearward section 22. An axial bore 24
is formed in the nose section 20 of the body member 16. Axial bore 24 is
somewhat larger than the largest tool shank that the chuck is designed to
accommodate. A threaded bore 26 is formed in tail section 22 of body 16
and is of a standard size to mate with the drive shaft of a powered or
hand driver (not shown). The bores 24, 26 may communicate at the central
region 28 of body member 16. While a threaded bore 26 is illustrated, such
bore could be replaced with a tapered bore of a standard size to mate with
a tapered drive shaft.
Passageways 30 are formed in body member 16 to accommodate each jaw 18.
Referring to FIG. 1, three jaws 18 are employed and each jaw 18 is
separated from the adjacent jaw by an arc of approximately 120 degrees.
The axes of the passageways 30 and the jaws 18 are angled with respect to
the chuck axis but intersect the chuck axis at a common point ahead of the
chuck body 16. Each jaw 18 has a tool engaging face 32 which is generally
parallel to the axis of the chuck body 16 and threads 34 on its opposite
or outer surface. Threads 34 of any suitable type and pitch may be
utilized within the scope of the present invention as would be readily
apparent to one skilled in the art.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, body member 16 may include a thrust ring
member 36 which, in a preferred embodiment, is integral therewith. It
should be appreciated that thrust ring member 36 could be a separate
component from the body member. Thrust ring member 36 includes a ledge
portion 38. Ledge portion 38 is adapted for engagement with the shroud or
outer race of a self-contained anti-friction bearing assembly 42 as will
be described in more detail below. Thrust ring member 36 includes a
plurality of jaw guideways 50 formed around the circumference to permit
retraction of the jaws 18 therethrough. While a self-contained bearing is
illustrated herein, it should be appreciated that any bearing or bearing
surface would be within the scope of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, body member 16 includes a rear cylindrical portion 44
with a knurled surface 46 thereon for receipt of optional rear sleeve 14
to be pressed thereon if so desired. A nose portion 48 is adapted to
receive a nosepiece 58 as will be set forth in more detail below.
The present invention further includes a nut 60 which, in a preferred
embodiment, is a one piece nut and which includes threads 62 for mating
with threads 34 on jaws 18 whereby when nut 60 is rotated with respect to
body 16, the jaws will be advanced or retracted. Nut 60 may include drive
slots (not shown) for mating with drive ribs (not shown) on front sleeve
12 so that when front sleeve 12 is rotated, nut 60 will rotate therewith
and move jaws 18 as set forth above. Alternately, and as illustrated,
sleeve 12 may be press fitted to nut 60 so as to be rotationally and
axially fixed thereto. Sleeve 12 may include a metallic member co-molded
66 therewith that forms the actual interface between sleeve 12 and nut 60.
While this is the preferred embodiment, it should be appreciated that the
metallic co-molded member could be eliminated and the sleeve designed in
any known manner.
Nut 60 may further include an arcuate seating surface 61 for mating with an
arcuate seating portion on the bearing assembly 42.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a self-contained bearing assembly 42 is adapted
to be placed between thrust ring 36 and seating surface 61 of nut 60.
Self-contained bearing assembly 42 includes an inner race 72, an outer
race 74, and bearing elements 76 maintained therebetween. In a preferred
embodiment, bearing elements 76 are ball bearings. Self-contained bearing
assembly 42 may further include a shroud 78 surrounding the inner and
outer races 72, 74 for maintaining the bearing assembly as a
self-contained component. As set forth above, while a self-contained
bearing assembly is illustrated, any bearing, or no bearing at all, would
be within the scope of the present invention.
In a preferred embodiment as set forth above, front sleeve member 12 is
press fitted to nut 60. A nosepiece 58 is dimensioned and adapted to be
pressed onto nose portion 56 to maintain nut 60 in place on chuck 10. It
should be appreciated that nosepiece 58 could also be secured to body 16
by snap fitting, threading or the like. Nosepiece 58 is exposed when the
chuck is assembled and, in one embodiment, may be coated with a
non-ferrous metallic coating to prevent rust and to enhance its
appearance. Examples of suitable coatings include zinc or nickel, however,
it should be appreciated that any suitable coating could be utilized.
Nosepiece 58 serves to maintain nut 60 in position on chuck 10 and in
threaded engagement with the threads on the jaws 18.
Nosepiece 58 includes a nut contact portion 59 to prevent movement of nut
60 toward the nose section of the body. Nut contact portion 59 is
configured with respect to passageways 30 in body member 16 so as not to
interfere with movement of the jaws 18 therein. In a preferred embodiment,
nosepiece 58 includes a portion with a cylindrical inner diameter 59A and
a portion with a frustoconical inner diameter 59B. Nosepiece 58 may also
be configured so that if sleeve 12 disengaged nut 60, it would be
prevented from coming off the chuck by nosepiece 58.
In addition, nosepiece 58 serves the dual purpose of providing an
aesthetically pleasing cover for nose portion 56 that will resist rust.
This provides the advantage of an aesthetically pleasing appearance
without the necessity to coat the entire body member 16. If desired, the
rear sleeve member 14 may be omitted and the front sleeve member 12
extended to the tail end of body 16. This alternative is feasible when a
spindle lock or the like is provided on the driver or when the driver is
used to tighten or loosen the jaws.
The circumferential surface of the front sleeve member 12 may be knurled or
may be provided with longitudinal ribs or other protrusions to enable the
operator to grip it securely. In like manner, the circumferential surface
of the rear sleeve member 14, if employed, may be knurled or ribbed if
desired. The front and rear sleeves may be fabricated from a structural
plastic such as polycarbonate, a filled polypropylene, for example, glass
filled polypropylene, or a blend of structural plastic materials. Other
composite materials such as, for example, graphite filled polymerics would
also be suitable in certain environments. As will be appreciated by one
skilled in the art, the materials from which the chuck of the present
invention is fabricated will depend on the end use of the chuck, and the
above are provided by way of example only.
It will be appreciated that rear sleeve member 14 is fixed to body member
16 while front sleeve member 12 is operatively associated with nut 36 and
secured to body member 16 for relative rotation therewith. Relative
movement of the front and rear sleeve members, 12 and 14, due to the
interaction between threads 34 on jaws 18 and threads 62 on nut 60 causes
jaws 18 to be advanced or retracted, depending upon the direction of
relative movement.
While the above description is set forth with respect to a keyless chuck,
it should be appreciated that the principles of the present invention are
equally applicable to a keyed chuck, and such is within the scope of the
present invention.
These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may
be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly
set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood
that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole
or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and
is not intended to be limitative of the invention so further described in
such appended claims.
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